JPH0922562A - Automatically storage medium exchanging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten an exchange time of a storage medium and to improve reliability in a device. SOLUTION: A container 12 containing and holding many storage media, recording/reproducing mechanisms 13-16 recording/reproducing information for the storage media, a transfer mechanism 17 transferring the storage media between the container 12 and the recording/reproducing mechanisms 13-16 are set up in a box body 11. The transfer mechanism 17 is provided with delivery mechanisms 18, 19 for delivering the storage media for the container 12 and the recording/reproducing mechanisms 13-16. When the storage media are exchanged, one side delivery mechanism 19 takes out new storage medium from the container 12, and the transfer mechanism 17 transfers the empty delivery mechanism 18 together with the delivery mechanism 19 in front of the recording/ reproducing mechanisms 13-16, and after the empty delivery mechanism 18 takes out the old storage medium from the recording/reproducing mechanisms 13-16, the delivery mechanism 19 inserts the new storage medium into the recording/reproducing mechanisms 13-16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a mass storage device of a computer and the like, and is a storage medium automatic exchange provided with a delivery means for delivering a storage medium to a storage medium storage means or an information recording / reproducing means. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional storage medium automatic exchanging device of this type includes storage means for storing a large number of storage media, recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing information on / from the storage media, storage means and recording / reproducing means for these storage means. A transport means for transporting the storage medium between the
A delivery means for delivering a storage medium to the storage means and the recording / reproducing means is provided, and each of these means is connected to the control means and automatically controlled.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are schematic side views showing the relative positions and functions of the conventional storage means 1, recording / reproducing means 2, and delivery means 3, and storage means having storage chambers 1A, 1B, .... 1, a recording / reproducing means 2 is arranged above the storage means 1 and a recording / reproducing means 2, and a delivery means 3 held by a conveying means (not shown) is vertically movable.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a), when the storage medium M1 contained in the recording / reproducing means 2 is replaced with the storage medium M2 contained in the storage chamber 1B, the delivery means 3 carries out the storage medium M1. 7 is taken out from the recording / reproducing means 2, the carrying means carries the delivery means 3 to the front of the empty storage chamber 1A as shown in FIG. 7 (b), and the delivery means 3 makes the storage medium as shown in FIG. 7 (c). After the M1 is inserted into the storage chamber 1A, the transfer means moves the delivery means 3 to the front of the storage chamber 1B, and the delivery means 3 moves the storage medium M1.
Is taken out from the storage room 1B. Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, the conveying means conveys the delivering means 3 to the front of the recording / reproducing means 2, and the delivering means 3 records / reproduces the storage medium M2.
Press

As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the storage means 1
Storage media 1G, 1H, ... below the storage media M7, M
When rearranging 8, ... In the upper storage chambers 1A, 1B, ..., As shown in FIG. 8B, after the delivery means 3 takes out the storage medium M7 from the storage chamber 1G. As described above, the transport means transports the delivery means 3 to the front of the storage chamber 1A, the delivery means 3 inserts the storage medium M7 into the storage chamber 1A, and the transport means transports the delivery means 3 to the front of the storage chamber 1H. A series of operations is repeated.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the storage medium M1 in the recording / reproducing means 2 and the storage medium M2 in the storage means 1 are exchanged as shown in FIG. Storage media M7, M8, ...
Since a series of operations as described above is repeated when rearranging the storage media, there is a problem that a lot of time is required to replace the storage media M1, M2, .... Further, when the delivery means 3 fails, there is a problem that the storage media M1, M2, ... Can not be replaced or relocated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a highly reliable storage medium automatic exchange apparatus which shortens the time required for the exchange and relocation of the storage medium.

[0008]

An automatic storage medium exchange apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes storage means for storing a large number of storage media and recording for recording / reproducing information on / from the storage media. A reproducing means, and a conveying means for conveying the storage medium between the storing means and the recording / reproducing means, for transferring the storage medium to the storing means and the recording / reproducing means. A plurality of delivery means are provided.

In the automatic storage medium exchanging device having the above-mentioned structure, when exchanging the storage medium, one of the plurality of delivering means takes out the storage medium from the storing means, and the conveying means stores it together with the empty delivering means. The medium is conveyed to the front of the recording / reproducing means. Then, after the empty delivery means takes out the storage medium in the recording / reproducing means, the conveying means slightly moves the delivery means, and the delivery means containing the recording medium pushes the storage medium into the recording / reproducing means. Further, when the storage media are rearranged, the plurality of delivery means take out the plurality of storage media from the storage means at the same time, and the transport means transports the plurality of delivery means to another place of the storage means and stores the storage medium. A plurality of delivery mechanisms simultaneously inserts into the storage means.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment. Inside a box body 11, a storage 12 for storing and holding a large number of storage media such as magneto-optical disks is arranged, and above the storage 12 there is a storage medium. For example, four recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16 for recording / reproducing information are arranged. Then, the hangar 12 and the recording / reproducing mechanism 13 to
These storages 12 and recording / reproducing mechanism 1 are provided on the side of 16.
A transport mechanism 17 for transporting a storage medium between 3 and 16
Is arranged.

The storage 12 is, for example, a drum-shaped rotating body, and has upper storage chambers 12A and 1A for storing storage media.
2B, ... and lower storage rooms 12J, 12K, ...
And are provided. The transport mechanism 17 is composed of an upright vertical guide rail 17a and a horizontal guide rail 17b attached to the vertical guide rail 17a so as to be vertically movable. For example, two transfer mechanisms 18 and 19 for transferring the storage medium are horizontally movably attached to the horizontal guide rail 17b. These delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 are mechanisms corresponding to the hangar 12 and the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16. Here, both delivery mechanisms 18 and 1 are provided.
9 has the same structure. The box 11 is provided with a controller (not shown) that controls the hangar 12, the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16, the transport mechanism 17, and the delivery mechanisms 18 and 19.

FIG. 2 shows a delivery mechanism 1 for the storage medium 21.
It is a perspective view of 8 and 19, and two guide arms 22 and 23 arranged on both sides are supported rotatably centering on a rear end, respectively. These guide arms 22,
The guide grooves 22a and 23a are formed in the guide groove 23, respectively, and the claw members 24 and 2 are formed in the guide grooves 22a and 23a.
5 are slidably fitted together. The tip ends of the guide arms 22 and 23 are connected to link shafts 30 and 31 of links 28 and 29 that are connected to the rotary solenoid 26 via a link 27, and the front portions of the guide arms 22 and 23 are operated by the operation of the rotary solenoid 26. The interval of is adjusted. The claw members 24, 25 include body portions 24a, 25a extending in the front-rear direction, body portions 24a,
Side arm portions 24b, 25b extending inward from 25a are provided. Engaging claws 24c, 2 that engage with the lateral grooves 21a, 21b of the storage medium 21 at the front ends of the body portions 24a, 25a.
5c is formed.

The one claw member 24 has rollers 32, 3
3, 34 and a belt 36 wound around a gear 35, and the other claw member 25 is connected to rollers 37, 38, 39 and a belt 41 wound around a gear 40. The gears 35, 40 are connected to a drive motor 42, and the driving force of the drive motor 42 drives the claw members 24, 25 in the X direction.

The delivery mechanism 18, 1 thus constructed
When the storage medium 21 is taken out from the storage 12 or the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16 by the controller 9, the drive motor 42 is operated by a command from the controller, and the claw members 24 and 25 cause the storage medium 2 to move.
1 is moved to a position where it can be gripped. Next, the operation of the rotary solenoid 26 causes the front portions of the guide arms 22 and 23 to rotate inward via the links 27, 28, and 29, so that the engaging claws 24c and 25c move the lateral grooves 21a and 21a of the storage medium 21.
b. After that, the claw members 24 and 25 transfer the storage medium 21 by the operation of the drive motor 42.
Move to accommodate in 9.

The delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 are used as the storage medium 2.
When 1 is inserted into the hangar 12 or the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16, the claw members 24 and 25 are operated by the operation of the drive motor 42.
Stores the storage medium 21 in the storage 12 or the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13-1.
6 and then the front portions of the guide arms 22 and 23 are rotated outward by the operation of the rotary solenoid 26,
The engaging claws 24c and 25c of the claw members 24 and 25 are the storage medium 2
1 is separated from the lateral grooves 21a and 21b, and the side arm 2
4b and 25b push in the storage medium 21.

On the other hand, when the storage media M1 and M2 are exchanged between the storage 12 and the recording / reproducing mechanism 13 as shown in FIG. 3, the following series of operations are performed.

(1) As shown in FIG. 3A, one delivery mechanism 19 takes out the storage medium M1 from, for example, the storage chamber 12A of the storage 12, and the transport mechanism 17 has the other delivery mechanism 18
And the transfer mechanisms 18 and 19 are conveyed to the front of the recording / reproducing mechanism 13.

(2) Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), after the empty delivery mechanism 18 takes out the storage medium M2 in the recording / reproducing mechanism 13, the transport mechanism 17 causes both delivery mechanisms 18, 19 to move.
Is slightly moved, and the delivery mechanism 19 inserts the storage medium M1 into the recording / reproducing mechanism 13.

As described above, in the embodiment, when the storage mediums M1 and M2 are replaced, the storage medium M1 in the recording / reproducing mechanisms 13 to 16 is replaced.
Since it is not necessary to transport the storage medium M to the storage box 12 first, the time can be omitted and the exchange time of the storage media M1 and M2 can be shortened.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer mechanism 18,
If, for example, one of the delivery mechanisms 19 out of 19 fails, the other delivery mechanism 18 can be utilized,
It does not make the operation of the device using this embodiment impossible.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage media M1, M2, ... Inside the lower storage chambers 12J, 12K ,.
.. When relocating the upper storage chambers 12A, 12B, ..., Two storage media M1, M2, ... Can be transported and rearranged in half the time of the conventional method. be able to.

Although the two delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 are provided in the above-described embodiment, more delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 can be mounted according to the driving force of the transport mechanism 17. Further, although the delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 have been described as delivering the magneto-optical disk as the storage medium 21, other CDs, CD-Rs, DLT tapes, VHS tapes, 3480 tapes, etc. can be handled. Further, both the delivery mechanisms 18 and 19 are designed to deliver the same storage medium, but it is also possible to configure different storage media to be handled up and down individually.

[0023]

As described above, the storage medium automatic exchanging device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of delivery means for delivering the storage medium to the storage means and the recording / reproducing means. The process of transferring the storage medium in the recording / reproducing means to the storage means in advance can be omitted, and the time for replacing the storage medium can be shortened. Further, even when the arrangement of the storage medium is changed, the plurality of storage media can be simultaneously exchanged by the plurality of delivery mechanisms, and the time required for replacement can be shortened. Furthermore, even if some of the plurality of delivery means are out of order, the remaining delivery means can be utilized, so that the reliability of the entire apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a delivery mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Storage 13-13 Recording / reproducing mechanism 17 Conveying mechanism 18, 19 Delivery mechanism 24, 25 Claw member 26 Rotary solenoid 27, 28, 29 Link 42 Drive motor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing a large number of storage media,
The recording medium is provided with a recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing information to / from the storage medium, and a conveying means for conveying the storage medium between the storing means and the recording / reproducing means. An automatic storage medium exchanging device comprising a plurality of delivery means for delivering the storage medium to a reproducing means. 2. The storage medium automatic exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of delivery means are individually controlled.